Durable ballistics target

ABSTRACT

A target apparatus comprises a plurality of cables and a rigid frame wherein each cable is attached to the rigid frame at least one end of the cable. The plurality of cables is attached to the frame in staggered orientation to one another, and each of the plurality of cables is interchangeable with any other cable of congruent dimension. The plurality of cables is attached to the frame in zigzag orientation to one another. The impact of bullets, mortars, and varying other ammunition rounds upon the plurality of cables is dampened in the loose hanging cables, thereby resulting in a less violent blow to the overall target apparatus. The target apparatus is capable of multiple uses before total destruction of the target apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/767,931 filed Feb. 22, 2013. The content of UnitedStates Provisional Application No. 61/767,931 is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the technical field of target devices whichare particularly adapted for use as a point of aim for an aerialprojectile or target devices at which an aerial projectile is projectedor thrown. More particularly, the present invention is in the technicalfield of target devices comprising a penetrable layer having a structureparticularly adapted to be pierced or ruptured upon impact of aprojectile thereon so as to allow the entire projectile to pass throughthe penetrable layer or to allow at least a portion of the projectile topass through the penetrable layer with another portion of the projectileremaining embedded within the penetrable layer; and wherein the targetdevice includes means or is provided with means to enable replacement ofa portion of the penetrable layer.

(b) Background Art

Various types of targets are used in ballistic training practices.Mostly training may be performed with traditional bullseye targets orpaper, plastic or metallic silhouette targets. These targets are usefulto train police, soldiers, hunters or other citizens to aim and shoot.Some of the targets which are used presently have unrealistic twodimensional or three dimensional appearances and permit little variationin positioning, posturing and external visual characteristics. Othertargets which are used may be provided with a balloon suspension systemused to signal when the target has been hit. The useful life of thesetargets is limited by their tendency to disintegrate, crumble or shredunder repeated impacts.

Styrofoam targets are frequently used, but these targets are not verydurable and easily fragment after being hit with bullets or otherprojectiles and, thus, are not reusable or deformable during use. Themajor drawback of the currently used styrofoam targets is their lack ofdurability. Stated with more specificity, the primary drawback with theexisting target is that, with extended use, the high impact area, suchas the region having the bullseye or other target region, deterioratesthereby limiting the useful life of the target. Another drawback is thetime wasted in fabrication and repair of these targets.

Also known in the prior art is an intelligent target comprising a targetbody suspended from a support structure, at least one sensor affixed tothe target body that detects a hit in an area of the target body, acontroller, in communication with each sensor, that records the hitsdetected by the sensor and the area of the target body that was hit andissues a release command when a predetermined number of hits has beenreached, and a release mechanism operatively connected with thecontroller and which releases the target body and allows the body tofall from the support structure on receipt of the release command fromthe controller. However, this known apparatus is neither durable or costefficient.

Another existing prior art discloses a heatable long range metal targetcapable of providing acoustic feedback to the user on impact and isdurable to withstand the repeated vibration stress that occurs duringrepeated use. In a preferred embodiment, target includes a reactivetarget body for generating an audible feedback signal on impact by afirearm round (such as a metal gong), a heating element and a fasteningstructure connectable to the target body for mounting of the heatingelement to the target body. The target body has a front, impact surfaceand a rear surface and is constructed of hardened steel for withstandingrepeated impact by high velocity rounds on the impact surface withoutpenetration. The heating element heats a target region of the target andthe fastening structure connects the heating element to the target bodyaway from the impact surface. The fastening structure includes avibration dampening portion. Although more durable, the construction ofthe apparatus is not cost efficient, and the apparatus must be replacedin its entirety upon sustaining damage.

Yet another existing prior art discloses a tank-target silhouette foruse in tank gunnery practice with the main gun of a tank. The new targetemploys lightweight sheet material that is corrugated in the manner ofan accordion-door (or pleated) configuration to produce aself-supporting, rigid target silhouette which can be raised andlowered, and which can sustain multiple hits without collapsing. Thecorrugation configuration, when clamped along the bottom edge of theridges and grooves, provides the necessary rigidity for the target tostand upright without other vertical structural members which could behit and destroyed. However, the apparatus does not provide durabilityand does not allow multiple uses. The apparatus is not replaceable andreusable.

As evident in the shortcomings known in the prior art, there is a clearneed for an improved target apparatus that would provide enhanceddurability of target structure allowing multiple uses. Such a neededapparatus would provide longer lifespan of the target in ballistictraining. In addition, the target apparatus would allow replacement ofcomponents of the target as opposed to the entire target after each use.By increasing the overall lifespan of the target apparatus the overallcost efficiencies of the apparatus are bolstered. The now disclosedinvention seeks to address the cited shortcomings in the prior art,particularly the enhanced durability objective.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations found in the prior art, and to minimizeother limitations that will be apparent upon the reading of thisspecification, the preferred embodiment of the present inventionprovides a target apparatus which is sufficiently durable to withstandrepeated blows from varying rounds of ammunition, thereby increasing theoverall lifespan of the target apparatus.

In its broadest contemplated form, the present invention is a targetapparatus, the apparatus comprising a plurality of cables and a rigidframe wherein each cable is attached to the rigid frame at one or moreends of the cable.

The preferred embodiment is a target apparatus comprising a plurality ofcables and a rigid frame wherein each cable is attached to the rigidframe at one or more ends of the cable. The plurality of cables isattached to the frame in staggered orientation to one another, and eachcable is interchangeable with any other cable of congruent dimension.Still more specifically, the plurality of cables is attached to theframe in zigzag orientation to one another. Further, the cablesthemselves may be formed of any material sufficiently durable to sustainthe extraordinary abuse of repeated ballistic strikes, including withoutlimitation steel cable and steel wire rope.

While the disclosed invention is largely envisioned to comprise a rigidframe standing vertical and having the aforementioned plurality ofcables hanging vertically within the interior of the frame yielding theappearance of a solid silhouette target, the inventor appreciates thatthe durability and cost efficiencies introduced with this inventioncould just as easily be applied in the context of a horizontallyoriented target apparatus designed for air strike training and viewablefrom a position above the target as opposed to a position down rangefrom the target.

The inventor further contemplates that the now disclosed targetapparatus may further comprise a pulley and cable system engenderingmovement of the apparatus relative to a user. The cable and pulleysystem would enable the target apparatus to move laterally, left orright, at a user's selection and is intended to simulate a movement asmay be encountered in non-training scenarios (i.e., in an activemilitary offensive, etc.). To further simulate active combatcircumstances, the rigid frame itself may be configured in a variety ofshapes, including without limitation human shapes, tank shapes, aircraftshapes, and the like.

As may be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a target apparatus ofthe type now disclosed has advantages over the prior art in that theimpact of bullets, mortars, and varying other ammunition rounds upon theplurality of cables is dampened in the loose hanging cables therebyresulting in a less violent blow to the overall target apparatus. Inthis way, the target apparatus is capable of multiple uses before totaldestruction of the apparatus.

These and other advantages and features of the present embodiment aredescribed with specificity below so as to make the present disclosureunderstandable to one of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale inorder to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of thesevarious elements and embodiments of the disclosure. Furthermore,elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in theindustry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of thevarious embodiments of the invention, thus the drawings are generalizedin form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a targetapparatus;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the first embodiment of the target apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a second embodiment of the target apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a side-on view of a third embodiment illustrating a targetframe shaped as a generic tank silhouette; and

FIG. 5 is a front-on view of a third embodiment illustrating a targetframe shaped as a generic tank silhouette.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments andapplications, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form apart hereof, and, in which is shown by way of illustration, specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may bemade without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be usedindependently of one another or in combination with other features.However, any single inventive feature may not address any of theproblems discussed above or only address one of the problems discussedabove. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not befully addressed by any of the features described below.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a firstembodiment of a target apparatus 10 and FIG. 2 is a front view of thefirst embodiment of the target apparatus. The target apparatus 10comprises a rigid frame constructed from a first left vertical post 14,a second left vertical post 16, an upper crossbeam 18, a first rightvertical post 24, a second right vertical post 22, and a lower crossbeam28. A plurality of cables 20 are suspended from the upper crossbeam 18of the apparatus. A left base member 12, a right base member 26; and aplurality of left brackets 30 attaches the left base member 12 to thefirst left vertical post 14 and second left vertical post 16, and aplurality of right brackets 32 attaches the right base member 26 to thefirst right vertical post 24 and the second right vertical post 22. Theorientation of the attached plurality of cables 20 along the uppercrossbeam 18 vis-a-vis one another is linear.

In more detail, still referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the targetapparatus 10 comprises a rigid frame and a plurality of cables 20 thatcreate the illusion of a solid surface when viewed from a distance. Itis contemplated that the impact of bullets, mortars, and varying otherammunition rounds upon the plurality of cables 20 will be dampened inthe loose hanging cables 20, thereby resulting in a less violent blow tothe overall target apparatus and the projection that the targetapparatus 10 will be capable of multiple uses before total destructionof the target apparatus 10. To the extent that any of the plurality ofcables 20 are damaged or broken during use, the individual cable iseasily replaced by detachment of the damaged cable 20 from the uppercrossbeam 18 and reattachment of a replacement cable 20 to the uppercrossbeam 18 in place of the broken or damaged cable 20. The left basemember 12 and right base member 26 afford the overall frame elements,including the first left vertical post 14, the second left vertical post16, the upper crossbeam 18, the first right vertical post 24, the secondright vertical post 22, and the lower crossbeam 28, sufficient stabilityto sustain repeated impacts from varying ammunition rounds whileremaining in an upright and vertical configuration. With the abovecontemplated use in mind, it is further important that the frameelements themselves be sufficiently durable to withstand repeated blowsfrom varying rounds of ammunition, thereby increasing the overalllifespan of the target apparatus.

In further detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 1 and FIG.2, the preferred embodiment of the target apparatus 10 comprises a rigidframe constructed from 6″ steel I-beams, the contemplated I-beamsforming the first left vertical post 14, the second left vertical post16, the first right vertical post 24, the second right vertical post 22,the upper crossbeam 18, and the lower crossbeam 28 of the frame.Further, the left base member 12 and right base member 26 are formed of6″ angle iron, the respective base members 30, 32 being riveted to thelower terminus of the first left vertical post 14, the second leftvertical post 16, the first right vertical post 24, and the second rightvertical post 22, through the left brackets 30 and the right brackets32, all brackets also formed of 6″ angle iron. As for the constructionof the plurality of cables 20, the upper crossbeam 18 is perforated witha series of holes through which the plurality of cables 20 are insertedand attached to the upper crossbeam 18. In this preferred embodiment, itis contemplated that the holes in the upper crossbeam 18 containing theplurality of cables 20 will be 1.5″ in circumference and that pluralityof cables 20 utilized will likewise be 1.5″ in gauge.

The construction details of the invention as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2refer to the preferred embodiment of the target apparatus frame which islargely constructed of steel I-beams and the base elements from angleiron. The plurality of cables 20 is depicted as constructed of 1.5″gauge steel cable, however the cables 20 may be constructed from anystrong and durable material or composition, including steel wire rope orother synthetic rope.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a top view of a second embodiment of the targetapparatus 10 is illustrated. Of particular note in FIG. 3 is theorientation of the attached plurality of cables 20 along the uppercrossbeam 18 vis-a-vis one another. The orientation is staggered intotwo offset linear rows thus forming a first and second layer ofsuspended plurality of cables 20.

In more detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 3, the secondpreferred embodiment of the target apparatus 10, it is contemplated thatthe impact of bullets, mortars, and varying other ammunition rounds uponthe plurality of cables 20 will be dampened in the loose hangingplurality of cables 20, thereby resulting in a less violent blow to theoverall target apparatus and the projection that the target apparatuswill be capable of multiple uses before total destruction of theapparatus. To the extent that any of the plurality of cables 20 aredamaged or broken during use, the individual capable is easily replacedby detachment of the damaged cable from the upper crossbeam 18 andreattachment of a replacement cable to the upper crossbeam 18 in placeof the broken or damaged cable. The second preferred embodiment is thatthe orientation of the plurality of cables 20 vis-à-vis one another asattached to the upper crossbeam 18, is such that the plurality of cables20 in a first layer of the plurality of cables 20 and a second layer ofthe plurality of cables 20, thus resulting in a more durable overallplurality of cables 20. Further and as with the first disclosedembodiment, it is important that the left base member 12 and right basemember 26 afford the overall frame elements, including the first leftvertical post 14, the second left vertical post 16, the upper crossbeam18, the first right vertical post 24, the second right vertical post 22,and the lower crossbeam 28, sufficient stability to sustain repeatedimpacts from varying ammunition rounds while remaining in an upright andvertical configuration. With the above contemplated use in mind, it isfurther important that the frame elements themselves be sufficientlydurable to withstand repeated blows from varying rounds of ammunition,thereby increasing the overall lifespan of the target apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 4 is a side-on view of a target frame shaped as ageneric tank silhouette 44. The target frame 44 shaped in the form of ageneric tank silhouette comprising a plurality of cables 42 wherein eachcable is attached to the rigid frame 44 at one or more ends of thecable. The plurality of cables 42 may be constructed from any strong anddurable material or composition, including steel wire rope or othersynthetic rope. In the event any of the plurality of cables 42 isdamaged during use, the damaged cable is replaced by detaching theindividual cable and replacing the same with a replacement cable in theplace where the broken or damaged cable was formerly attached to theframe.

Referring to FIG. 5 is a front-on view a target frame shaped as thegeneric tank silhouette 44. The target apparatus 40 comprises apenetrable layer formed of a plurality of cables 42. The frame elementof the target frame 44 has sufficient stability to sustain repeatedimpacts of varying ammunition rounds while remaining in an upright andvertical configuration. The frame 44 material and composition issufficiently durable to withstand repeated blows from varying rounds ofammunition. Moreover, the collision of bullets, mortars, etc. upon theplurality of cables 42 is dampened by the loose hanging cables causing aless violent blow to the target apparatus 40. The target apparatus 40 iscapable of multiple uses before the total destruction.

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, anenhanced durability of target structure allowing multiple uses andlonger lifespan of the target in ballistics training; and cost savingsprovided in the ability to replace single cables rather than an entiretarget during or after each use.

In broad embodiment, the present invention is a target apparatus, theapparatus comprising a plurality of cables and a rigid frame whereineach cable is attached to the rigid frame at one or more ends of thecable.

Reference throughout the specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that theinvention can be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

It is understood that the above described embodiments are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentinvention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thedescribed embodiment, including the best mode, is to be considered inall respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of theinvention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, if any, inconjunction with the foregoing description.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention has been presented for the purpose of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is intendedthat the scope of the present invention not be limited by this detaileddescription, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claimsappended hereto.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The inventionshould therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment,method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A target apparatus, the apparatus comprising a rigid frameand a plurality of cables, each cable having a first end and a secondend, and each cable being attached to the frame at one or more ends ofthe cable.
 2. The target apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cables aresteel cables or formed of wire rope.
 3. The target apparatus of claim 2wherein the cables are detachable from the frame and interchangeablewith cables of like dimension.
 4. The target apparatus of claim 3wherein the attachment of the cables to the frame is in a staggeredconfiguration along the frame.
 5. The target apparatus of claim 1further comprising a stable base affixed to the frame, the frameoriented vertically and perpendicular to the stable base.
 6. The targetapparatus of claim 5 wherein the frame is a steel or steel compositeframe.
 7. The target apparatus of claim 6 wherein the cables are steelcables or formed of wire rope.
 8. The target apparatus of claim 7wherein the cables are detachable from the rigid frame andinterchangeable with cables of like dimension.
 9. The target apparatusof claim 8 wherein the attachment of the cables to the frame is in astaggered configuration along the frame.
 10. The target apparatus ofclaim 5 wherein the cables are steel cables or formed of wire rope. 11.The target apparatus of claim 10 wherein the cables are detachable fromthe frame and interchangeable with cables of like dimension.
 12. Thetarget apparatus of claim 11 wherein the attachment of the cables to theframe is in a staggered configuration along the frame.
 13. The targetapparatus of claim 1 further comprising means to engender movement ofthe apparatus.
 14. The target apparatus of claim 13 wherein the means toengender movement of the apparatus is a pulley and cable system.
 15. Thetarget apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frame is a steel or steelcomposite frame.
 16. The target apparatus of claim 1 wherein theattachment of the cables to the frame is in a staggered configurationalong the frame.
 17. A target apparatus, the apparatus comprising asteel or steel composite frame and a plurality of steel or wire ropecables, each cable having a first end and a second end, and each cablebeing attached to the frame at one or more ends of the cable and eachcable being detachable from the frame and interchangeable with a cableof like dimension; and a stable base affixed to the frame, the frameoriented vertically and perpendicular to the stable base.
 18. The targetapparatus of claim 17 wherein the attachment of the cables to the frameis in a staggered configuration along the frame.
 19. The targetapparatus of claim 17 further comprising means to engender movement ofthe apparatus.
 20. The target apparatus of claim 19 wherein the means toengender movement of the apparatus is a pulley and cable system.